The funny thing about being a parent, first we take the test, and then we get the lesson! I have two sons, ages twelve and fifteen, and I wanted to get some expert advice that would help us with our "Negotiating Moments." I went looking for information on the Web and in bookstores that could help me with the fine art of negotiating with kids. However, I found very little. As my first son became a knucklehead teenager, I began to realize that our negotiating moments were getting a little more heated, and his reasons and abilities to argue negotiate were very pathetic and infantile. As a parent, I became very nervous and concerned. I knew that I was going to have a tremendous effect on my son's destiny, because as a parent, I was going to set the stage for his life.
    Our experiences, family relationships, daily rituals and motivations all form the way we run our households. We teach our children how to deal (negotiate) with others by modeling this behavior during interactions with them and others. This life skill is something they will take with them throughout their entire life. I believe that their future happiness and success will be directly affected by the outcome of the negotiating moments they experience at home.
    I began to look at how I negotiate in my life, both at home and at work, and a light bulb went on. That is when I decided to write a book on this topic myself. I really believe in the content of this book. In fact, I use the techniques in this book on a daily basis.
    My vision for Argue Negotiate With Your Children And They Will Negotiate For Their Lives! is to provide something simple, but worth reading (and learning), a reference manual filled with illustrations, quotes and stories. It is an easy to understand guide packed with examples for parents and children to use (and reuse) together. These practical examples address specific issues (negotiating moments) that typically occur within and outside of the family unit. Ultimately, I would like to use this information to change a life, save a life or help a life become fun again.

This book is about a family of 15 living in Australia and the experiences they each went through during the childhood years, and as they were growing up. Told by each of them individually, it's a unique perspective of not only their experiences as they remembered them but also their families perspective of them.

For many years now I've told stories about my childhood, and oftentimes someone would say, "you should write a book!? Well here it is, a memoir, as I see it, growing up in Australia. A narrative of our lives and a keepsake to hand down to our children, and our grandchildren.

We frequently ask ourselves questions about the past, but all too often it is forgotten, as if it never was, and our memories are replaced by more recent events. They are often only aroused when reminiscing with loved ones. Throughout this book you will find stories coming from my senses, the way I remember them, but my family have also contributed. For when I told them what I was doing, they were inspired and spurred on to also look into their past. After the chapter I devoted to each of them, you will find their own memories.

On recollecting past events, we often found ourselves contradicting each other, however this wasn't because of our uncertainties about the past, but rather the age of the person at the time of the event. For no matter how I see things, these thoughts coming from my senses, can be seen so different in the eyes of someone else. So different in the eyes of a sibling much older or younger, in a family with thirteen children.

Because of the Aussie jargon and the different way in which we spell some of our words, I have included a glossary of words in the back of the book.

My memories of our past start with our mother Thelma (affectionately nicknamed the Colonel by her sons-in-law), followed by our father Bill, our stepfather Bob, then my siblings descending from the oldest Coral, to Shane the youngest. The account of incidents and events throughout each person's memories are in no particular order, and were written as they came to mind, but not all of my family shared their memories; not for lack of wanting to, but rather a shyness in reflecting their feelings on paper or because they had passed away.

Life was full of adventure, sadness, confusion and drama in our house, but I guess it depended on how old you were at the time, that made them adventurous, sad, confusing or dramatic events, and when I think back to our childhood years, I'm caught between pain and laughter. Pain when I think of things I would rather forget, and laughter so great, it brings tears to my eyes. With so many different personalities in the one household, things weren't always as they appeared, but it wasn't until years later when reminiscing that we realized just how all of our personalities intermingled and made us into the secure and determined people we are today. We each resembled our parents, but we were different in our own small, but distinct way. Myself, I'm smack bang in the middle of six boys and six girls, and although we were never well off, I often thought we were, because of our closeness. We had a lot of joy in our lives, and we were never short of love and support for each other.

Two of the most important things to kids in middle school are friends and clothes. This book compares these two unlike subjects in a way that middle school kids can really connect with. It has a simple, direct, colorful message that can be used by teachers, counselors and parents for great discussions about friendships and diversity. It's a life lesson about being nice to others even if they don't "fit" you.

Just a thought that happen to cross my mind and went with it. Its about a teddybear who was made for the love of a child lost and refound much later in life.Also has a good moral ending

About a pumpkin who realize there is a brighter tomorrow and that thinks workout in the end. This also gives a strong moral ending.

…To Bang or Not To Bang is a one-of-a-kind book of questions…

…an invaluable guide to some of the simple questions that Jeorald Pitts’ now-deceased father posed to him prior to his death. These questions from his father would spark his dramatic change.

From hardcore gangbanger and drug dealer…to author of one of the most phenomenal and enlightening books ever written about the inner workings of gangs and change…

From a teen serving time in California Youth Authority for gang-related crimes…to mentor to at-risk youth and founder of C.H.A.N.G.E.S. (Community Helping Adolescence Needing Guidance, Education & Support) ORGANIZATION.

From being sentenced to serving life in prison for murder…to Respect & Peace Activist.

Jeorald Pitts utilizes his true life experiences as a vehicle and his thoughtprovoking questions and intriguing pictures as a guide to travel down the destructive road of gangbanging, forcing readers to look and think about what’s at the end of this deadly road.

…Jeorald wrote this simple story-telling, yet, poetic-style book while incarcerated in a maximum security prison. Banging is a behavior and like all behavior learned, it can be unlearned by asking yourself the right questions.

This book also offers practical insight for parents, teachers, youth counselors, or anyone who wants to better understand the gang life.

The contents of this book will be a great tool for self-analysis for gangbangers and those in the courtship phase of their relationship with gangs.

…To Bang or Not To Bang is a one-of-a-kind book of questions…

…an invaluable guide to some of the simple questions that Jeorald Pitts’ now-deceased father posed to him prior to his death. These questions from his father would spark his dramatic change.

From hardcore gangbanger and drug dealer…to author of one of the most phenomenal and enlightening books ever written about the inner workings of gangs and change…

From a teen serving time in California Youth Authority for gang-related crimes…to mentor to at-risk youth and founder of C.H.A.N.G.E.S. (Community Helping Adolescence Needing Guidance, Education & Support) ORGANIZATION.

From being sentenced to serving life in prison for murder…to Respect & Peace Activist.

Jeorald Pitts utilizes his true life experiences as a vehicle and his thoughtprovoking questions and intriguing pictures as a guide to travel down the destructive road of gangbanging, forcing readers to look and think about what’s at the end of this deadly road.

…Jeorald wrote this simple story-telling, yet, poetic-style book while incarcerated in a maximum security prison. Banging is a behavior and like all behavior learned, it can be unlearned by asking yourself the right questions.

This book also offers practical insight for parents, teachers, youth counselors, or anyone who wants to better understand the gang life.

The contents of this book will be a great tool for self-analysis for gangbangers and those in the courtship phase of their relationship with gangs.

The Torn Tree is the heart breaking story about Sheila's life, who was born during an unfortunate time in her parent's life; and ultimately, after the untimely death of her father. Her mother tried to do her best to give Sheila the up most advice to accomplish life's successes as a young girl; but, is overwhelmed by all of of her other children prior to Sheila; in which she had great difficulties in finding ways to support them.
Sheila's parents were extremely poor; and, those situations made life difficult for them and their children. They had become sharecroppers, so that they could have a livable place to stay; and as well, put food on their table and fill the needs of the family. After the death of her husband, Brenda is forced to find another domicile for her already nine children. Her young sons were not quite old enough to take over the farming chores; like their father, so, that was the reason why they had to move.
The Torn Tree follow the life and struggles of Sheila, as she tries to find her way in the world; with lots of obstacles. She was not psychologically strong because of her immaturity, during the timing of her mother's death. Her painful odyssey had begun whenever she was taken against her will to Detroit Michigan, where she had to face the biggest challenges in her young life. Though this book is nonfiction; some of the names have been changed, due to the author's choice.

The Torn Tree is the heart breaking story about Sheila's life, who was born during an unfortunate time in her parent's life; and ultimately, after the untimely death of her father. Her mother tried to do her best to give Sheila the up most advice to accomplish life's successes as a young girl; but, is overwhelmed by all of of her other children prior to Sheila; in which she had great difficulties in finding ways to support them.
Sheila's parents were extremely poor; and, those situations made life difficult for them and their children. They had become sharecroppers, so that they could have a livable place to stay; and as well, put food on their table and fill the needs of the family. After the death of her husband, Brenda is forced to find another domicile for her already nine children. Her young sons were not quite old enough to take over the farming chores; like their father, so, that was the reason why they had to move.
The Torn Tree follow the life and struggles of Sheila, as she tries to find her way in the world; with lots of obstacles. She was not psychologically strong because of her immaturity, during the timing of her mother's death. Her painful odyssey had begun whenever she was taken against her will to Detroit Michigan, where she had to face the biggest challenges in her young life. Though this book is nonfiction; some of the names have been changed, due to the author's choice.

The Torn Tree is the heart breaking story about Sheila's life, who was born during an unfortunate time in her parent's life; and ultimately, after the untimely death of her father. Her mother tried to do her best to give Sheila the up most advice to accomplish life's successes as a young girl; but, is overwhelmed by all of of her other children prior to Sheila; in which she had great difficulties in finding ways to support them.
Sheila's parents were extremely poor; and, those situations made life difficult for them and their children. They had become sharecroppers, so that they could have a livable place to stay; and as well, put food on their table and fill the needs of the family. After the death of her husband, Brenda is forced to find another domicile for her already nine children. Her young sons were not quite old enough to take over the farming chores; like their father, so, that was the reason why they had to move.
The Torn Tree follow the life and struggles of Sheila, as she tries to find her way in the world; with lots of obstacles. She was not psychologically strong because of her immaturity, during the timing of her mother's death. Her painful odyssey had begun whenever she was taken against her will to Detroit Michigan, where she had to face the biggest challenges in her young life. Though this book is nonfiction; some of the names have been changed, due to the author's choice.

AS GOOD AS A DOG A DOG CAN LIE ABOUT SOMEONE BUT NOT LIE ABOUT SOMEONE "The justice system is, unfortunately, often not a friend of the family or the truth." For what crime can a person be accused, judged, convicted, and sentenced without trial or chance to speak the truth? ANSWER: CHILD ABUSE In what court is "perjury" permitted? ANSWER: "PERJURY" IS RARELY CONSIDERED IN DOMESTIC RELATIONS CASES. The answer to the question above was written in a book describing how to succeed in your divorce case. An internet ad states, “Revenge in your domestic relations case can be achieved thru using the children, finances and assets.” Another ad states, “What is being made available are the dirtiest divorce tactics known." And what is the dirtiest tactic? It is a three letter word, “LIE.” LIE to the police, doctors, lawyers, and judges. LIE to the Custody Evaluator and the Custody Master. LIE to personnel in CYS, family, and friends. And what is a second dirty tactic? Have them LIE for you. The point of "AS GOOD AS A DOG" is to show how these "dirty tactics" were used and to present a means to fight them. I have given the proposal for state legislature to a member of the state senate. It is based on the experience of my wife and I, my daughter, and my grandsons.

The work explores the notion that we are all perceptually branded by the experiences and milieu of early childhood. The author illustrates this with tales set in his native Edinburgh, Scotland during the 1940s and 1950s.

Through a series of adventures and misadventures, the young protagonist makes discoveries about life and people, ranging from the inconsistencies and contradictions of adult behavior to learning about mortality. In one episode, the young lad is tricked into having his tonsils removed. As he grows older, he learns about betrayal by adults and authority figures. Poems that reinforce each of these learning themes introduce each chapter and the use of local dialect sharpens the sense of location and social milieu.

Exploring the universal themes of the innocence of childhood, “Figs of the Imagination” illustrates how much we are a product of the formative years and how these key life experiences prepare children to become adults.

The work explores the notion that we are all perceptually branded by the experiences and milieu of early childhood. The author illustrates this with tales set in his native Edinburgh, Scotland during the 1940s and 1950s.

Through a series of adventures and misadventures, the young protagonist makes discoveries about life and people, ranging from the inconsistencies and contradictions of adult behavior to learning about mortality. In one episode, the young lad is tricked into having his tonsils removed. As he grows older, he learns about betrayal by adults and authority figures. Poems that reinforce each of these learning themes introduce each chapter and the use of local dialect sharpens the sense of location and social milieu.

Exploring the universal themes of the innocence of childhood, “Figs of the Imagination” illustrates how much we are a product of the formative years and how these key life experiences prepare children to become adults.

AS GOOD AS A DOG A DOG CAN LIE ABOUT SOMEONE BUT NOT LIE ABOUT SOMEONE "The justice system is, unfortunately, often not a friend of the family or the truth." For what crime can a person be accused, judged, convicted, and sentenced without trial or chance to speak the truth? ANSWER: CHILD ABUSE In what court is "perjury" permitted? ANSWER: "PERJURY" IS RARELY CONSIDERED IN DOMESTIC RELATIONS CASES. The answer to the question above was written in a book describing how to succeed in your divorce case. An internet ad states, “Revenge in your domestic relations case can be achieved thru using the children, finances and assets.” Another ad states, “What is being made available are the dirtiest divorce tactics known." And what is the dirtiest tactic? It is a three letter word, “LIE.” LIE to the police, doctors, lawyers, and judges. LIE to the Custody Evaluator and the Custody Master. LIE to personnel in CYS, family, and friends. And what is a second dirty tactic? Have them LIE for you. The point of "AS GOOD AS A DOG" is to show how these "dirty tactics" were used and to present a means to fight them. I have given the proposal for state legislature to a member of the state senate. It is based on the experience of my wife and I, my daughter, and my grandsons.